The FIRST ever PRIDEFEST in Macomb is bringing together wonderful human beings to celebrate our LGBTQ*A friends, family members, allies, supporters, visitors, and students in and around the Macomb, Illinois community. We were honored and blessed to partner with so many wonderful allies and groups to host this event that we might visibly proclaim our love for and affirm the dignity and humanity of all member of the GLBTQIA family.
We seek to provide a safe space for all attendees to enjoy the freedoms all should enjoy with gender expression/gender identity until such time that every space is made safe and validating for all members of our community.
We proudly welcome McDonough County Clergy members in attendance, knowing far too many members of their churches are living in hiding from their flocks and other members due to risk of bullying, marginalization, and expulsion from their churches. We have allied with those who are working to try to confront such misguided congregations in our county.
We pledge our support and allyship to that end, that all may live, work, play, and visit here, free from being targeted by those individuals who have yet to address their own issues. Those who project homophobia, transphobia, and ignorance onto others in our county will be confronted and held accountable with real-world consequences.
We will no longer silently tolerate ignorance which contributes to a toxic culture which puts members of the LGBTQIA at risk. #NOH8#LoveWins#MakeItMacomb